A Great Workforce A Great Workplace

Manual Material Handling &

Ergonomic Management Programme
Colleen Low
Principal Specialist (Occupational Hygiene)
OSH Specialist Department
Occupational Safety and Health

A Great Workforce A Great Workplace

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What is Manual Material Handling

Manual materials handling (MMH) means moving or handling things by
lifting, lowering, pushing, pulling, carrying, holding, or restraining. MMH is
also the most common cause of occupational fatigue, low back pain and
lower back injuries.
Symptoms
Numbness
Pain
Aches
Burning sensation
Swelling
Tingling sensation
Weakness
Cramping
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Risk Factors of Musculoskeletal Disorders

Musculoskeletal disorders are associated with some risk factors. These factors may
be found during work activities. Along with personal factors such as physical
limitations or existing health conditions, these risk factors contribute to the
development of MSDs.

Workplace Risk Factors

Forceful exertion
Repetitive movements
Awkward posture
Static posture
Vibrations

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Musculoskeletal Disorders 2013 - 2014

30 % of
all
WRMSD
cases

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Legislation
Workplace Safety and Health Act (WSHA)
All stakeholders, including employers, employees, self-employed persons, occupiers,
principals, manufacturers and suppliers are to take reasonably practicable measures to
ensure the safety and health of every employee and others who may be affected by the work
being carried out.

Workplace Safety and Health (Risk Management) Regulations

The employer, self-employed person and principal shall conduct a risk assessment to address
the safety and health risks posed to any person who may be affected by activities in the
workplace.

Hazards to be identified in risk assessment are anything that can cause bodily injury and
includes any physical, chemical, biological, mechanical, electrical or ergonomic hazard.

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Legislation
Workplace Safety and Health (Incident Reporting) Regulations
When an employee is diagnosed with a reportable occupational disease, the employer must
submit the written diagnosis prepared by a registered medical practitioner diagnosing the
occupational disease to the Commissioner for WSH not later than 10 days after receiving it.

Work-related musculoskeletal disorder of the upper limb is specified in the Second Schedule
to the WSHA and is reportable.

Work Injury Compensation Act

The Work Injury Compensation Act (WICA) makes provisions for compensation to employees
for injury or illness suffered in the course of their employment.

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Singapore Standards

Approved Codes of Practice

SS 514: 2005 Code of Practice for Office Ergonomics
This ACOP provides information and guidance to users, employers, manufacturers, and those
who have control over the introduction of health practices into the office, specification and
procurement of office equipment, on the application of ergonomics principles in the workplace.

SS 569: 2011 Code of Practice for Manual Handling

This ACOP serves as a reference standard of acceptable practices for manual handling
operations in Singapore. It provides users, employers, manufacturers and suppliers information
on ergonomics principles for manual handling work that reduce the risk of MSD injuries and
disorders.

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Manual Material Handling Activities in

Transport & Storage
Work involves: Practices to
reduce risks:
Lifting Receiving
of goods
Pushing Use mechanical
lifting aids e.g. height
Pulling
Move &
Loading adjustable trolleys,
Carrying store
of goods
goods pallet turn tables,
Over-reaching
electric pallet trucks
Awkward
Two persons
postures e.g.
Train workers in
moving in tight Packing Picking of
of goods goods proper handling
spaces between
techniques
storage spaces
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Manual Material Handling Activities in

Wholesale & Retail
Practices to
Work involves: Receiving reduce risks:
of
Lifting
products Use mechanical
Pushing
lifting aids e.g.
Pulling Providing
Packing & height adjustable
service to
Carrying unpacking
customers
trolleys, pallet turn
Awkward
tables, electric pallet
postures e.g. over-
trucks
reaching, moving
Inventory Labelling & Adjust work pace
in tight spaces checking arrangement and train workers in
between storage
proper handling
spaces.
techniques
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Manual Material Handling Activities in

Accommodation & Food Services
Lifting and moving of loads
Practices to reduce
Work involves: risks:
Lifting
Use mechanical lifting/
Pushing handling aids e.g.
Pulling powered supplies trolleys,
Carrying Storage racks with rollers
Awkward for luggage storage
postures e.g. over- Adjust pace of work and
reaching, moving train workers in proper
in tight spaces handling techniques

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WSH Guidelines: Improving Ergonomics in

the Workplace

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Ergonomics Programme
An ergonomics programme provides a systematic approach for the
organisation to manage ergonomic hazards and issues at the workplace.

Elements of Ergonomics Programme

1. Management Commitment and Policy
2. Employee Involvement
3. Training and Education
4. Hazard Identification
5. Workplace Monitoring, Reporting
and Medical Management
6. Implementation of Control Measures
7. Evaluation and Review
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Ergonomics Programme
1. Management Commitment and Policy
Treat ergonomic efforts as furthering the companys goals of creating a safer
and healthier work environment
Assign and communicate responsibilities
Provide assigned persons with authority, resources, information and necessary
training

Set a policy to take ergonomics into

consideration for the design and
selection process of tools, job
methods, workstation layouts and
materials.

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Ergonomics Programme
2. Employee Involvement
Employees from different levels should be involved to improve the workplace
conditions. Their involvement will enhance employee motivation and job satisfaction,
and increase the likelihood of them accepting job changes.

Appoint a dedicated ergonomics team to identify and manage ergonomic issues

at work
Put in place a reporting system for employees to feedback signs and symptoms
of work-related MSDs
Encourage employees to give suggestions on ways to improve manual material
handling activities

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Ergonomics Programme
3. Training & Education
All employees, especially those in affected jobs, for example, manual material
handling jobs where a known MSD hazard exists, should be trained and equipped
with basic ergonomics knowledge.

Employees in jobs Supervisors in jobs

All Employees with suspected with suspected Ergonomics
problems problems Team members

Training in
General identifying and
Job-Specific Job-specific
ergonomics controlling
training training
awareness ergonomic risk
factors

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Ergonomics Programme
4. Hazard Identification
In hazard identification, work-related MSDs and their associated risk factors are
identified and analysed. Job tasks are prioritised based on job hazard analysis.
Control measures are then implemented to control the risks as far as is reasonably
practicable .

1. Conduct a hazard identification exercise together with

employees who are involved in the job.
2. Break down the job into its various work tasks. Observe
employees performing the tasks.
3. Identify risk factors in each work task. Start with a
qualitative identification.
4. Prioritise certain work tasks for more detailed analysis.

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Ergonomics Programme
5. Workplace Monitoring and Reporting
Employees with aches and pains due to job tasks are tell-tale signs of ergonomics
issues in the workplace. Aches and pains complaints, injuries, and other ergonomic
problems in the workplace should be proactively tracked.

Employees are encouraged to report MSD symptoms or problems.

Periodic symptoms surveys are carried out
Reports of MSDs or its symptoms should be assessed to determine
whether medical management should be provided
Investigate feedback and identify problems work
tasks/areas for improvement
Work with the healthcare provider to manage
injured worker integration back into the workplace
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Ergonomics Programme
5. Medical Management
Early detection of MSD, prompt treatment and timely recovery from injuries can
prevent the employee from being permanently impaired or disabled.

Provide access to healthcare providers

Provide information on work tasks and work demands to healthcare
providers
Obtain a written opinion from healthcare provider on work-related medical
conditions related to the MSD reported, recommended work restrictions
and follow-up during the recovery period.

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Ergonomics Programme
6. Implementation of Control Measures

Elimination/Substitution
Automation e.g. shrinking wrapping machine

Engineering Controls
Mechanical aids or tools
User-adjustable work stations

Administrative Controls
Scheduling sufficient rest breaks
Job rotation to reduce repetitive movements
Training workers to raise awareness of ergonomics risk factors
Consider pre-existing conditions of staff when assigning manual
material handling tasks

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Ergonomics Programme
7. Evaluation and Review
Programme activities should be evaluated and reviewed periodically to ensure that
all elements of the ergonomics programme remain relevant and effective.

Evaluation Review Long Term Indicators

Risk factor checklist or Engineering control
job analysis method measures or other innovative
Symptom survey technologies
Risk assessments, inspections
and worker training
Incidence rate of MSDs
Productivity or quality
Job absenteeism or turnover
rate
Performance of employees at
work

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Conclusion
Zero MSDs arising from work

All work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) can be prevented.

Ergonomics Programme & Design with Ergonomics

Risk Assessment consideration
Hazard identification Incorporates ergonomics
Risk analysis principles into design and
Implement control measures selection process of tools,
job methods, workstation
layouts and materials.
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Resources

Go to WSH Councils webpage: www.wshc.sg. Click

on Topics followed by Ergonomics

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Thank you.

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